IillllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII US005685786A

United States Patent

Dudley

[19]

[11] Patent Number:

[45]

5,685,786
Nov.

Date of Patent:

11, 1997
... 473/407 ... 473/407
... 473/407

[54] PASSIVE GOLF INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

[75] Inventor:

Douglas P. Dudley, West Bloomfield, Mich.

5,364,093 11/1994 Huston . 5,434,789 7/1995 Fraker et al... 5,469,175 11/1995 Boman ........... 5/07,485 4/1996 Fisher .............

FOREIGN
3501033A 2178210
7/1986 2/19S7

P~

DOCUMENTS

[73] Assignee:

Yardmark, Inc., W. Bloomfield, Mich.

Germany . United Kingdom .

[21] Appl. No.: 449+05

[22] Filed:
May 24, 1995

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
How to SeEect GPS Receivers, West Marine 1994 Master Catalog (pp. 6, 7, 8, 12, 19).

Related U.S. Application Data

[63]

Continuation-in-part

of Ser. No. 240,983, May 11, 1994.

A63B 67/02; G08G 9/00; G06F 15/28 [52] U.S. Cl ........................... 473/409; 473/131; 473/407; 340/323 R [58] Field of Search ..................................... 169, 473/150, 473/407, 409; 364/410, 444, 448-449, 458, 460; 340/323 R, 933, 988-991; 280/DIG. 5, DIG. 6; 180/167

[51] Iut. CL

........................... 57/00; A63B

Primary Examiner Assistant Examiner

Attorney, Agent,

Harrison Jessica A. Sager Mark or Firm Harness, Dickey & Pierce, PLC
ABSTRACT

[57]
A golf information

[56]
U.S.
3,786,411 3,868,692

P~

References Cited
DOCUMENTS

4,303/43
4,419,655 4,656,476 4,698,781 4,703,444 4,819,174 4,863,123 5,044,634 5,056,106 5,086,390

5,319/48
5,324,028 5,326,095

1/1974 2/1975 12/1981 12/1983 4/1987 10/19S7 10/1987 4/1989 9/1989 9/1991 10/1991 2/1992 6/1994 6/1994 7/1994

Kurachi et al.. Woodward et al.. Wolfe

May . Tavtigiau . Cockerell, Jr.. Storms, Jr. et al.. Furuno et al.. Bernard et al.. Dudley Wang et al.. Matthews . Germain . Luna Dudley

..................

... 473/407

system and method which provides yardage and other information to a golfer relative to landmarks on a golf course operating in a "hands-iree" or passive manner. In one embodiment, a differential global positioning satellite receiver (DGPS) is utilized to calculate a golf cart position and each time the cart stops, the detected position is compared with positions of landmarks mapped to zones on holes of the course. A location of each landmark is predetermined and stored in a look-up table, afterwhich the golf cart position is compared with the pre-stored positions to obtain a distance between the golf cart and each landmark. The calculated distance is subsequently outputted, preferably on a visual display where it is observed by a golfer. The system can also be used to send speed-of-play messages to a golfer from a clubhouse in order to speed up play, and can also be used to send emergency signals, and advertisements to the golfer. Information outputted to the golfer can be obtained from on-board memory, or in systems with communication features, the information can be sent from a golf course clubhouse or other remote location.

..................

...473/407
18
TIE

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

56

TI4

18

Z3

Z2.
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~

D
P'--T-CE

~I
24

Zt
28

41 12
CI999112 MITRE

54

52
CPE

49
RCCERCLT

RECIMI

RCIRC

48
8ITEREIITIRL

""'"""
46

RERCCR REC'TIER

55

Nov. 11, 1997

Sheet 1 of 3

5,6S5,7S6

38
10
/ /

36
'I

20

T|4 f6

i~CS
14
I
/
I
I

t t
I

f8

Z3

I /
/ /
/

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T1

T9

22

+C2
T7

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TG

32

C1

1 Fig

39
48

Tt
/

12

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54

I I l
I
\

I I

51

2 Fig

U.S. Patent
9

Nov. 11, 1997

Sheet 2 of 3
COMPUTER

5,6S5,7S6

~54
49

DISPLAY

44
GPS
RECEIVER
I I I I

804RD

I I I
I I I I I I
I I I

STATUS

I
I I I I

(
50

4NTENN4

B04RD

ASSEMBLY

I
I I I

I I I I

I
I

DIFFERENTIAL

COURSE
TOPOGRAPHICAL
INFORMATION

BEACON

RECEIVER
I

I I

42

53

Fig-3
62

48

FREQUENC)'EY
TR&MSMlTTERz

RADIO

DEMODDEATOR

MlCROPRDCESSOR I

66

RECEIVER

'60

4 Fig

74~
S2

ANTENNA

COUPLER

MTTER
RF RECEIVER

ccueuouSE

26~

5 Fig

U.S. Patent

Nov. 11, 1997

Sheet 3 of 3

5,6S5,7S6
Sf

sERsoR

84
DGPS

~50
tRRRI
DIGITAL COURSE MAP
I

HEERROV

42

RECEIVER
MICROPROCESSOR

LOOK-UP TABLES

6C~
VOLTAGE

92

~90

. 88
PRESENT HOLE SIGNAL
POSITION SIGNAL

REGULATOR

t:
94~ 42
DGPS
RECEIVER

M DATA SIGNAL M RESET SIGNAL 96

6 Flg
f20
LIQUID

CRYSTAL

mfo
gB
ERROR l

DISPLAY

98
l

116~
96~
f22
f

MICROCONTROLLER

f6

REAL

TIME

RAM

CLOCK

56~

VOLTAGE

fOB+
LITHIUM

BATTERY

( f02

REGVIATOR

BACK-UP CONTROL,
BATTERY

f06

Fig-7
104

EMERGENCY

10:35
5TH

PLEASE SPEED
UP PLAY
TO THE

TRANSMITTER

iW
MIC.

116

PIN..2O

'W-120

SPEAKER

~f22

8 Flg

5,685,786

1
the speed of play has dramatically decreased, particularly due to use of golf carts. However, the speed of play can still be increased. With each stop, a player must mount and CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELAND demount from the cart which increases the time of play. APPLICATION 5 Furthermore, players are typically paired together on a cart which means the cart must transit back and forth between This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending both player's shots which greatly increases the distance an application Ser. No. 08/240,983, filed May 11, 1994. individual cart must travel. As a result, it has become necessary to monitor the position of golf carts on a course BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 and furthermore to utilize employees, called "rangers", who This invention relates to systems and methods for proscout a course for golf carts which are slowing down play in viding position and other information to a golfer playing a order to intercept them and encourage the players to accelgolf course and for further providing golfer play information erate their rate of play. However, use of rangers is expensive, to a golf course operator. ineilicient, and disruptive. An employee can only monitor The game of golf has endured through the years as a test 15 one position on a golf course at a time, and the presence of of man's subtle coordination. Powerful men must restrain too many employees can produce an unwelcome golfing their strength in favor of timing, touch, and strategy. Variaenvironment for most players. Furthermore, slow play on tions in a golfer's swing, body alignment, grip, and tempo golf courses is generally caused by a handful of players who combine with wind, weather, trees, hills, sand and water to slow down play for the players following behind them. By make it virtually impossible to even once play a perfect 20 monitoring the speed of play of all golf carts on a course, the game. information can be used to target slow golf carts in order to Professional golfers know the importance of eliminating accelerate their play. As a result, a golf course can be more as many variables from the game as possible in order to efliciently utilized which increases income on the course and improve their scores. They use precision weighted clubs and makes play for all players more pleasurable and efticient. new balls without scars or ovality. They practice their club Various approaches have been taken to monitor a position 25 swing for hours striving to create a consistent or "grooved" on a golf course, including radio frequency transmitters and swing. When professional golfers reach a tournament receivers which function to perform radio location of a course, they carefully study the tees, greens and hazards to vehide with respect to a plurality of transmitter antennas. plan their game strategy. One of the key aspects of strategy Alternatively, location transmitters have been provided adjais knowing the distance or "yardage" from various points on 30 cent corresponding golf holes in a golf course which transthe course to the green, and yardages to various hazards, mit a location signal to a golf-cart-based receiver in order to such as water or sand traps. The yardage information enables determine the length of time a golfer is taking to play a the golfer to plan ball placement strategy and select the particular hole. However, such systems do not accurately proper clubs for given distances. The amateur golfer is determine position of a golf cart on a course while it is being typically overwhelmed with the complexities of golf, and 35 played over its entire surface, and furthermore can not can rarely afFord the luxury of inspecting the course and provide position and bearing information to a golfer in carefully planning golf strategy. The amateur cannot spend conjunction with speed of play information. Furthermore, the time necessary to evaluate their ball positions accurately improvements are needed for bi-directional exchange of since play would become extremely slow and many courses such information between a golf cart and a clubhouse for do not have even the most rudimentary yardage references, 40 interactively monitoring speed of play and transmitting such as the markers often used to designate a position 150 warnings and messages between a player and a clubhouse, yards from the center of the green. and additionally for detecting emergency conditions on a Various mechanized approaches toward determining the course. Additionally, previous attempts at monitoring golf yardage to various points or hazards are presently known. cart position on a course have failed to accurately detect the Examples of such systems include optical range finders 45 golf cart's position relative to a hole being played, for which are trained on a target such as the pin fiag and example, when a ball is inaccurately played and it strays into calculate the exact distance through triangulation. Other another hole's playing area it causes confusion for the approaches using radio frequency communication technolmonitoring system when it can not distinguish which present ogy are also known for measuring distance to a target. hole is being played by a golfer. However, typically such devices are "active" devices in that 50 Previously known golfer information systems typically they require a golfer to take some special steps each time require that the golfer actively request specific yardage and yardage information is needed which would slow down play, other information. Examples include the punching of a and would likely be viewed as unfair and awkward to other keypad to indicate the hole being played and the making of players. Moreover, such devices do not find distances to a specific golf yardage request to a particular target. Such other significant course landmarks such as sand traps or 55 approaches have the disadvantage that, as opposed to speedwater hazards, or features hidden from view. Therefore, an ing the play of a golf game, they act as an interference and improved device is needed for obtaining positional signals another activity which must be engaged in during the indicating the golfers position which are compared with playing of a golf round. Moreover, the rules of tournament stored positions of landmarks on a course through golf may not permit such "active" systems in that they may calculation, yardage information is outputted to the golfer. 60 be perceived as providing a golfer with superior knowledge Additionally, the game of golf has evolved through the of such an interactive system an advantage not related to years from a game where players covered a course on foot golfer skill. Since there is no specific request entered for the while either carrying their clubs or towing their clubs on a information in a passive system, any golfers playing the hand held cart to a game where most players at least in the same hole and being located at the same positions is given United States ride golf carts from shot to shot and hole to 65 identical information and thus all golfers enjoy the same hole. As popularity of the game has increased and the advantages through use of the system. Accordingly, there is number of players riding golf carts has likewise increased, a need to provide a passive or "hands-free" golf information

PASSIVE GOLF INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

5,685,786
various features are provided. The system can be triggered system which provides and constantly updates information to make a distance calculation on some que such as the provided to a golfer during a round of golf. stopping of a golf cart. An input indicating such stoppage Therefore, a need has arisen for a system which provides can come f'rom a movement detector on the vehicle such as general golf information in a hands-free or passive manner a rotary shaft encoder on a drive wheel or another drive train and further provides posiiional and locational information to 5 component. Alternatively, if the system receives satellite a golfer on a course and which would improve speed of play. data indicating that it has not moved in a preselected time an An ideal system would further provide monitoring and assumption can be made that the unit has stopped, Upon signaling between a golf cart and a golf clubhouse which stoppage, the appropriate yardage information is calculated automatically monitors a golfer's speed of play and notifies 10 and output. the golf course personnel and golfer of slow play, while The golf tee boxes of holes can be described as falling further being capable of providing for additional information within certain coordinate boundaries. Upon the stoppage of of interest to a golfer. a golf cart the system of this invention could determine if it Further objects, features and advantages of the invention falls within one of these boundaries. If so, the system will become apparent from a consideration of the following 15 identifies the hole being played and all yardage information description and the appended claims when taken in conneccalculated is related to that hole until it reaches a next hole tion with the accompanying drawings. tee which re-initializes the system for that hole. This system would accordingly allow holes to be played in a nonconSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION secutive mmaer. The system of this invention also allows The systems and methods according to the present inven- 20 the information provided to the golfer to change depending tion provide the desirable features discussed previously. In on their position on a parlicular golf hole. For example, the accordance with this inveniion a golf cart or handheld distance from the tee which indicates a drive distance is only information unit that moves with the golfer first receives one significant in an area of a typical first shot landing. or more signals which are processed to designate its locaThereafter, this information is meaningless. Similarlyhaztion. One example of a means of establishing its location is 25 ards such as sandtraps may only be significant once the through the use of a global positioning satellite (GPS) golfer approaches the green or is at some other area. system. Through the use of recent advances in GPS Moreover, the golfer is generally unconcerned with hazards technology. the GPS satellite location signal is supplewhich are farther from the green than their present location. mented with a ground base radio navigation differential Thus, the system incorporates assumptions and operational beacon which greatly enhances the accuracy with which a 30 features which allows pertinent information to be displayed position can be fixed. Once the golfer information system without interaction with the golfer. As one means of proreceives a position signal it compares its present location viding pertinent informaiion, a single golf hole can be with significant landmark position data stored in memory divided into a number of zones defined by area boundaries. and calculates a difference in position to generate a distance The system includes features for associating particular landvalue. Various types of golfer information can be provided 35 marks of interest with various zones. The boundaries of using this approach. For example, a distance to a green or certain zones may also be based on a calculation from cup can be displayed with accuracy. Similarly, distance to present position to center of the green with various distance water hazards or sand traps can also be displayed. Since ranges being associated with different zones. Thus, in this manner. zones need not necessarily be defined as area many golfers desire to know the distance of their drive, this information can also be displayed. In addition to yardage 40 boundaries but rather ranges of distance from a landmark. and position information, other information of significance In addition to providing valuable information to the to a golfer can be generated. For example, local weather golfer. the system of this invention also includes features for information can be displayed. Adverliser's can also make enabling information to be transmitted to a central station use of the system to enable information about products or such as a clubhouse where golf course operators can monitor services to be displayed to the golfer. Additional information 45 play. The system can provide periodic information on the of relevance can include a golfer's personal club selection location of all golf carts on the golf course. This would criteria so that a particular club can be displayed associated enable convenient monitoring of speed of play and relative with a particular yardage range. Warnings regarding danpositioning of players on a hole. It would also provide a gerous conditions such as crossroads, cliffs, protected plant warning of golf carts being in forbidden areas. This system species, or sensitive course areas can also be displayed. 50 could also permit the golfer's to know where adjacent golf carts are located. For example, in some golf courses it is very The golfer information system according to this invention difficult for a golfer on a tee or other locaiion on a fairway can also include an internal dock so that time related to know if the golfer's in front of them are out of danger information can be displayed. The time signal may also be from their next shot. The transmitting capability of the golfer generated from a GPS signal. This time information can be used to display target time to play against actual progress 55 information system would also allow other maintenance information such as electric cart battery voltage or a condiand displayed to a golfer and/or management staff information where a golf cart remains in one position for an tion regarding speed of play. excessive period of time indicating a possible mechanical A significant feature of the golfer information according breakdown requiting attention. The golf course operator to this invention is its "hands-free" operation. In order for the system to be truly "passive" a number of operational 60 would also be able to monitor any incidences of a golf cart being in a forbidden area. such as too dose to a green or features are provided. For example, the system must be able other restricted areas. Information received by the central to discriminate which hole is being played so that it will station could be relayed to a ranger who is roving on the provide the appropriate landmark information and make course to enable them to pinpoint problem situations. calculations as to yardage. It is a well known tendency of In addition to these features additional provisions for the many golfers to play a hole in an untraditional manner, 65 system of this invention can include integration of the golfer sometimes hitting the ball from adjacent hole fairways, etc. information system with a course irrigation system so that In order for the system to avoid confusion by such play,

FIG. 2.

irrigation is terminated when a golfer is in a particular area receiver, in order to calculate positional error produced by a but is activated when it will not interfere with golf play. All global positioning satellite receiver in order to obtain the information available to the golfer and local course extremely accurate error correction which leads to accurate operator can also be communicated through remote link-up position from the DGPS system. An end-of-play region 38 many miles away to allow monitoring of tournaments, 5 is provided around a portion of the golf cart path 22 adjacent coordinating television coverage, etc. Communication with fiag 20 such that presence of the golf cart within the region the central station could also include a manual interface in is used to determine end of play for a golf course hole which which a golfer could send a signal such as a distress signal enhances a golf information system's ability to detect the to the course operator. presence of a particular golf cart within the golf course hole Further objects, features and advantages of the invention 10 presently being played, even when play leads the golf cart into an adjacent hole as a result of a poorly played ball. will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connecEach hole on the golf course is subdivided into regions, or tion with the accompanying drawings. zones via a zone look-up table. For example, hole 10 is subdivided into zones Zl-Z3. Key features, or landmarks of BRIEF DESCRIP11ON OF THE DRAWINGS 15 interest when playing from within each of these zones are then assigned, or mapped into each respective zone via FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illustrative golf course hole individual landmark look-up tables. Typical landmarks are incorporating elements of the golf information system shown as a bunker T6, a stream T8 crossing a fairway, a according to a first embodiment of this invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a golf cart incorporating 20 position to clear the stream T9, center of green T12, and position of cup T14. As depicted in FIG. 1. zone Z1 is elements of the golf information system in accordance with defined by a pair of circular regions C1 and C2 formed about the first embodiment of this invention and showing a global a center-of-green (COG) of green 16. The center-of-green is positioning satellite receiver and a differential beacon depicted as landmark T12. Zone Z2 is defined by a pair of receiver in relation to the golf cart; circular regions C2 and C3 formed about the COG of green FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the 25 16. Finally, zone Z3 is defined by a single circular region C3 functional subsystems of the global positioning satellite about the COG of green 16. Alternatively, various mapped receiver and differential beacon receiver used with the golf geometries could be assigned to each region by providing a cart information system of the first embodiment of this defined map region in memory, or integrally within a digital invention, and carried by a golf cart; course map 86. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a radio frequency transmitter/ 30 Preferably, the zones Zl are strategically laid out on Z3 receiver unit used upon the golf cart of the preferred a hole 10 so as to encompass strategic locations on the hole embodiment of this invention for communicating with a suitable for conveying appropriate landmark information clubhouse; contained therein. For example, zone Zl is laid out to FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a radio frequency transmitter/ 35 include the region into which a golf ball is most likely to receiver unit provided in a clubhouse for communicating land when originaUy hit from the tee location 12. Therefore, with a golf cart; one of the pieces of information assigned to a look-up table FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of the status for zone Zl would be "distance from the tee". Similarly, board and zone landmark look-up tables found generally in zone Z2 is laid out to include landmarks T8-T10 that are FIG. 2; most likely encountered when playing a golf ball located 40 FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of the functional within zone Z1. Finally, zone T3 is laid out so as to convey subsystems of the status board shown generally in FIGS. 2 information for landmarks T11 T14 consisting of hazards and 3; and and green informaiion located approximate the cup and green. FIG. 8 presents an illustrative output of information for the golfer provided by the first embodiment of the system of 45 Preferably, all landmarks Tl-T14 located within zones

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a representative golf course hole generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown with a pair of tee areas 12 and 13, creek 14, and a green 16 having a cup 18 which supports a flag or pin 20. A designated golf cart path 22 is provided on the left-hand side of a fairway 24 on which a golf cart preferably travels while a golfer plays a round of golf. A clubhouse 26 is further provided with a transmitting and receiving antenna which is connected with a radio frequency receiver unit 30 and a radio frequency transmitter unit 32. Furthermore, a high altitude satellite 34 is also shown in FIG. 1, which is in geosynchronous earth orbit, wherein a global positioning satellite receiver receives signals Irom a number of such satellites to determine its location on the earth. Likewise, a radio frequency transmitting antenna 36, preferably a land-sea radio navigation antenna as run by the Coast Guard branch of the United States Government, is shown for transmitting signals to a radio navigation receiver, in this case a differential beacon

Z1, Z2, and Z3 are assigned to zone Z1. Likewise, all landmarks T6-T14 located within zones Z2 and Z3 are
assigned to zone Z2. Furthermore,
all landmarks

T8-T14

located within
50 Additionally,

zone Z3 are assigned to zone Z3. the COG (T12) and cup position T14 are both

assigned to all zones of hole 10. Preferably, the landmark assignments for each zone Z1 are implemented in a Z3 landmark look-up-table 88 for each zone, stored in memory in EEPROM 98 and/or RAMS 100 and 102. For example, a 55 look-up-table for landmarks assigned to hole 10, zone Zl will list each landmark, or target Tl-T14 along with an assigned x and y coordinate value locating the landmark with respect to the tee 12 on hole 10. As an example, the following landmark look-up-table lists target coordinates for 60 landmarks assigned to zone Zl:

Landmark

(Target) No.

X Coord.
112
125

Y Coord.
541 560

65

Tl
T2

-continued
Landmark

(Targefi No.

X Coortl

Y Coord.
5

T8

T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14

245 248 250 261 265 272

266

642 650 780 764 800 805 798

10

By subdividing each hole into zones and assigning landmarks of interest to a golfer playing from that zone, DGPS system 42 can passively calculate and display important T14 and their distances from the present landmarks Tl location of the golf ball on the hole 10. Each time the golf cart 40 stops on the hole, the DGPS system 42 is triggered to calculate the cart position (which is preferably adjacent the golf ball in play), determine the zone the cart is in via the zone look-up-table, and pull from the landmark look-uptables the landmarks of interest for that particular zone along with their previously measured locations on the hole. Subsequently, the position of the cart is compared and calculated to each landmark position, and the distance to each landmark from the cart is visually displayed to the golfer on a display 104. Preferably, additional information in the form of messages and advertisements can be displayed to the golfer. A typical message might screen-display the following header message"Par 4 Hole 1 Hdcp 12" followed by tee ID. "Yardages are measured from WHITE buried marker" followed by target info for T6, "To bunker on right 156" T7, "To carry bunker 170"T8 "Fo stream crossing fairway 260" T9 "To carry stream 271" T12 "Overall length of hole 410" and possibly "USGA target time to play this hole is 14 min.". some or all of the information could be Alternafively, verbally broadcast to the golfer via a speaker and voice generation software resident in status board 52 as shown in

15

20

25

30

35

thus eliminating selective availability, difFerential GPS is no longer needed, and a standard GPS receiver 44 would provide the requisite necessary additional information of a golf cart accurately positioned on a golf course. With reference to FIG. 2, a golf cart 40 is provided with the DGPS receiver 42 in order to determine a golf cart's position. An antenna assembly 48 interconnects with the DGPS receiver 42 through a status board 52 which receives and stores additional information from the DGPS receiver 42, and furthermore provides display information to a computer and display board 54. A battery 56 drives the entire system electronics through the status board 52. Additionally, a wheel motion sensor 51 detects motion of the golf cart 40 on a course in order to detect when the cart stops so as to trigger the DGPS system to calculate a new posiiion on the course, and passively display calculated distance information and messages to a golfer relating to a presently occupied hole and zone. FIG. 3 further depicts the various elements of the golf cart information system 9. DGPS receiver 42 records positional information of the golf cart 40 which is input into status board 52. The calculated position of the cart can also be compared with known course position information stored on a digital course map 86 (optional) which is digitally stored to determine the status of a golf cart on a course. Preferably, this information is relayed to the clubhouse 26 via a communication system. Furthermore, the calculated position, along with any messages or updates received fiom the clubhouse, are fed to the computer and the display board 54 via the communication system such that position and status information, as well as messages and prompt signals, can be detected by a golfer on the cart. Preferablya radio frequency unit 58 provides the communication transmitter/receiver system for interactive monitoring of a golf cart's position on a course by personnel at clubhouse 26 through the transmitting and receiving antenna 28.

FIG. 2.
A description of the physical components and electronic systems of a golf information system according to the first embodiment of this invention will be made with reference to FIGS. 2-6. A description of the operation of the system wiU be provided following the physical description of the elements. FIG. 2 shows a golf cart 40 that carries a differeniia1 global positioning system (DGPS) receiver 42 for detecting golf cart position on a course. DGPS receiver 42 principally comprises a GPS receiver 44 and a differential beacon receiver 46 which are interconnected such that GPS receiver 44 receives a satellite fix from a satellite and differeniial beacon receiver 46 receives radio and navigation signals to determine position relative to at least one transmitting antenna such that the difFerential error for the GPS receiver is calculated and corrected for in order to provide increased fix accuracy of a golf cart's position on a course. Both a GPS receiver 44 and compatible coupling difFerential beacon receiver 46 are commercia1ly readily available which communicate together to perform enhanced fix accuracy as a DGPS receiver 42. Such systems are presently available from GARMIN INTERNATIONAL INC., located at 9875 Widmer Road, Lenexa Kans. As shown in FIG. 4. a differential GPS system is incorporated in the antenna system on the golf cart 40. Alternatively, where the United States Government has waived the intentional degradation of non-military GPS signal accuracy on behalf of the Department of Defense,

40

45

50

55

60

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown details of the unit 58 used in the radio frequency transmitter/receiver preferred embodiment of this invention and containing the antenna 48 provided on the golf cart 40. a radio frequency transmitter and receiver 60, a key demodulator 62, and a micro-processor 64 (shown generally in FIG. 6 described below). Antenna 48 is coupled to the radio fi'equency 60 by bus 66 while the radio f'requency transmitter/receiver transmitter/receiver 60 is coupled to the key demodulator 62 by bus 68. The output of the key demodulator 62 is coupled to the micro-processor 64 by bus 70. In operation, signals are output from antenna 28 at the clubhouse 26 which are received by antenna 48 and then input to the radio frequency iransmitter and receiver 60 by signals on bus 66. Thereafter, the received radio frequency signals are input into the key demodulator 62 by bus 68, where the received signal is demodulated thereby producing the original stream of data originally transmitted from the radio frequency transmitting unit 32 within the clubhouse 26. Demodulator 62 then impresses this data upon the bus 70 to the micro-processor 64. Micro-processor 64 then functions in conjunction with a micro-controller 72 and entities 82, 84, 98, 100, and 102, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the aforementioned manner to receive and interpret the digital signal data originally received from the clubhouse antenna

28.
65 conjunction

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a golf cart 40 in with a typical golf course clubhouse 26, in unit 76 and a which a radio frequency transmitter/receiver typical display (e.g.. cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display,

etc.) 78 are housed. Specifically, radio frequency

transmitter/receiver 76 is coupled to antenna 28 by an antenna coupler 74 and is further coupled to display 78 by bus 80. In operation, the digital signature upon bus 49 which is stored on status board 52 as received from DGPS 44 and compared with landmark position data on look-up-tables 88 is sent by antenna 48 of golf cart 40 to antenna 28 which couples to receiver 32 within transmitter and receiver unit 76 which then places it upon bus 80 to the display 78. The receiver 32 would normally contain a key demodulator 62 as shown in FIG. 4 in order to reproduce this signature data from the radio frequency data. In this embodiment, the digital signature generator generates a golf cart signature in addition to the aforementioned distance signature upon status board 52 from DGPS 42 as well as current time data. Display 78 then visually displays the golf caxt position information for golf caxt 40 and the calculated distances to landmarks Tl T14. Detection of the cart within the regions 38, 39 and 41 indicates the hole presently being played by golfers on the cart in conjunction with the DGPS 42. In this way, the management of the typical golf course can determine where each of a plurality of golf carts 40 are located at any given time on the golf course and can, by observing the display 78 over a period of time, determine the approximate speed of play associated with users of golf cart 40. This could be used to potentially speed up the overall play upon a typical golf course. Furthermore, messages may also be transmitted to the golf cart 40 on a golf cart liquid crystal display 104 by micro-controller 72 if too much time has elapsed during play of a single golf hole 10. Furthermore, information can be transmitted to the display 104 indicating warnings or hazardous weather conditions, for example, lightning or tornados, as well as adverhsing, and requests for the user to transmit acknowledgement of receipt of such a

10
64, and receive data signal 94 and reset signal 96 which are inputs. Operation of the DGPS 42 in response to signals from lines 90 will be described in greater detail below. 96 The functional components and subsystems of the computer and display board 54 are shown with reference to FIG. 7. Micro-controller 72 has its operating system stored on EEPROM 98 and several RAM chips 100 and 102 are provided for data storage. A real time clock 108 provides a

message. Additionally. wheel sensor 51 detects rotation and nonrotation of a golf cart wheel in response to motion and stopping conditions. When the sensor detects a stopping condition, software resident on status board 52 directs the DGPS 42 to calculate cart position on the course. Preferably, when sensor 51 detects cart motion, time information is displayed on display 104, along with any messages or advertisements. Each time the cart stops, a signal from sensor 51 directs a calculation of cart position, afterwhich the zone occupied by the caxt is detexxnined. Subsequently, the landmark look-up table associated with the zone is retxieved and the distance to each respective landmark referenced in the zone look-up-table is calculated and displayed. The status board 52 and course topographical information 50 are shown in detail in FIG. 6 and include micro-processor 64 having its operating system software stored on EEPROM 82 and RAM 84. Course topographical information 50 consists of a digital course map 86 and all of the previously mentioned look-up tables 88. The look-up tables indude look-up tables for each of zones Z1-Z3, as well as look-up tables relating to detection of presence on a particular hole on the course; namely, tables that detect entrance onto a parhcular hole via regions 39 and 41, as well as exit via region 38. Micro-processor 64 monitors and receives position information from DGPS 42. A voltage regulator 106 receives power from golf cart battery 56 and provides a filtered and controlled power supply for reading position information f'rom the DGPS 42. As shown in FIG. 5, a number of data input and output signal lines are provided for micro-processor 64, including present hole signal 90 and position signal 92 which are outputted from micro-proce'ssor

time-of-day reference and can be used for displaying a local time message to the golfer and/or timing the golfer's 10 progress through the course. The power supply for computer and display board 54 is the golf cart battery 56 and also includes a voltage regulator 110. Lithium battery 112 and battery backup control 114 are provided to retain stored upon interruption of power from golf cart 15 information battery 56. Micro-controller 72 drives display 104 which is preferably a liquid crystal-type since they are easily read in bright sunlight. The position transmit and receive signals 92 and 94 are inputted into micro-controller 72, and reset signal 20 96 is outputted. The present hole signal 90 is provided for a ranger of a clubhouse to determine the present hole being played by golfers on a specific identified golf cart. Normally, signal 90 is operable to receive update signals which modify the parameters defining the start and end-of25 play regions for a particular hole 10. A tee check region 39 or 41 indicates staxt-of-play on hole 10, either from tee 12 or 13, respectivelyas the DGPS enters the region along caxt path 22 and stops. Similarly, an end of play region 38 indicates end-of-play for hole 10 as the cart enters the region 30 about green 16 and stops. A change in status of the present hole being played by a golfer on cart 40 cau be tracked by detection of the cart within the tee check and end-of-play regions for each hole on the course. Preferably, each region is a circle having a defined radius, which is identified by a 35 specific position point on the course stored in memory in an initial tee-check look-up-table 88 such that it is compared by micro-processor 64 with a DGPS position point for the cart 40. For example, region 38 can be provided about a hole 10 such that positioning of a cart adjacent a hole indicates end 40 of play of that hole and the system is notified once the cart leaves the region to update the hole status incrementally to the next numerical hole number such that the present hole signal 90 is incrementally increased by unit one. Alternatively or additionally, a tee-check region 39 or 41 can be 45 provided about a tee area 12 or 13, respectively, such that position of the cart adjacent the tee can be used to trigger start of a new hole, and once detected, the number of a hole being played can be "reset". In one mode of operation, received data signal 94 is 50 provided to receive updated landmark and course change information as contained within digital course map 86 andlor look-up tables 88. Normally, signal 94 is in an activated and ready state and only sends a signal to microprocessor 64 when a cup position on a course, or a desired 55 landmark position has been changed by a course grounds keeper. The transmitted present cup signal 90 consists of the coded signal outputted from the DGPS 42 which has been processed and reformatted by a micro-processor 64. Opera|ion of the golf information system according to the first embodiment of this invention will now be described in view of the above description. Since the high altitude satellite 34 and radio frequency transmitting antenna 36 are continuously operating, an accurate position of cart 40 is outputted to status board 52 as further detailed in FIG. 6. 65 Preferably, due to the implementation of Selective Ability (SA) which degrades the accuracy of the satellite signal, DGPS 42 must be implemented in order to accurately obtain

12
in the event selective the cart's position. Alternatively, availability is not implemented on the global positioning satellite signal, a standard GPS unit 44 can be ublized alone to obtain an accurate position of the golf cart 40 on a golf course. Furthermore, ordinary GPS can be implemented which will provide less accurate positional information. Micro-processor 64 receives such accurate position information continuously updating such information so as to calculate the distance to landmarks retrieved from the lookup tables $8, or to compare it with a digital course map 86 in conjunction with information on the course hole presently being played as detected by the DGPS 42 in order to provide information both to the golf cart operator via display 54, namely, liquid crystal display 104, as well as by a golf cart operator via receiving unit 30 in a clubhouse 26 on a clubhouse display 78. The software on the status board 52 compares the position information from the DGPS 42, or GPS (44), with the digital course map information in order to provide a golf cart position with respect to a particular hole, namely, in relation to a green and hole, or a tee area 12. Such information provides relative positional information of the golf cart with respect to the golf course. Alternatively, global position of a golf cart with respect to the earth can be compared to positional information of the golf course in determining position of a golf cart on a golf course. Furthermore, speed of a golf cart on a golf course can be monitored and detected by differentially measuring and comparing the position information from the DGPS 42 over time, or alternaiively, by monitoring velocity information output from a DGPS 42 which displays golf cart speed. The signal outputted by the DGPS 42 is processed at micro-processor 66 and transmitted to micro-controller 72 which fetches a set of instructions from a look-up table contained in processor EEPROM 98 and/or RAM's 100 and 102. The signal from micro-processor 64 on line 92 is sent to micro-controller 72 in serial fashion, for example, as a twelve-bit word at 1,200 baud. Signals having larger binary digits, or words, could be used to discrfnnnate larger chunks of data received from the DGPS. FIG. 8 illustrates a representative hands-free output generated by a clubhouse transmitted message which informs a golf cart operator of a slow play condition, as weil as displays present time, and position on a course when present in zone 23, as well as present hole being played. Furthermore, distance to the pin is also displayed in a manner which could be utilized to further provide positional information of a golf cart on a course to a golfer. Likewise, time and time remaining to play can be displayed when motion sensor 51 detects movement of the cart between locations on the course. An emergency prompt button 116 is also provided adjacent the liquid crystal display 104 in the computer and display board 54 which allows a golfer to signal an emergency on the course to a golf course employee in clubhouse 26. For example, a medical emergency requiring immediate action could be signaled by depressing the emergency button where an operator in the clubhouse can detect the golf cart's present position and can dispatch a course ranger immediately to respond to such emergency. Furthermore, a transmit button 118, or alternatively. a dual use of button 116, can be used to signal an acknowledgement of a message received from a clubhouse by a golfer on the golf cart 40. For example, upon transmission of a message to speed up play, a golfer can acknowledge receipt by depressing the transmit button 118. Furthermore, a microphone 120 and speaker 122 are finther provided on the display board 54 for carrying out a conversation between the clubhouse and golf cart.

By using a digital course map 86 in conjunction with the DGPS position information to track motion of a cart on the course, the size of memory necessary for a ranger to monitor
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and the reliability and speed of information transmission between the golf cart and clubhouse is enhanced, and modifications to the outputted information can be easily achieved by reprogramming out the digital course map 86, or else by using the landau positions or regions resident in look-up tables 88. Digital course map systems, or cartographic map systems, are INTERpresently available for marine use from NATIONAL INC., located at 9875 Widmer Road, Lenexa, Kans. An example is the GPSMAP 220 by GARMIN which utilizes a GPS receiver with cartographic digitized maps, or charts, from Navionics located at 8 Pine Meadow Pl., Commack, N.Y. Alteratively, either the digital course map 86 and/or the landmark lock-up tables 8$ can be provided in the clubhouse such that precise positional information is transmitted from the golf cart through antenna 48 to the clubhouse antenna 28 where the information is compared with the digital course map information and landmarks to determine a golf carts position on the course, as well as a golf carts relative position to known landmarks or features on the course which further allows for protection of the present hole being played by a golfer on the cart. In addition to the above features, the golf information system according to this first embodiment also provides the capability of several additional functions and features. In conjunction with the real time clock 108 as well as the landmark look-up tables 88, micro-controller 72 can measure the elapsed time a golf cart has spent on a particular hole or has spent throughout a golf course such that the time of play for a particular hole or a segment of the course can be monitored. If the measured play is excessively slow, a prompting message can be automatically displayed to a golfer on display board 54 which may be further supplemented by an audible signal from an emitter, here speaker 122. The look-up table contained in EEPROM 9$ and RAM's 100 and 102 for micro-controller 72 can also include adverfising messages which are activated by an operator or system in the clubhouse. The system can also contain a number of housekeeping functions. For example, an internal count can be made of the number of reading cycles by a particular golf cart to evaluate cart usage and a low battery signal could be outputted from the cart which alerts the operator of the necessity of maintaining the cart. Likewise, the number of warning signals displayed to a golf cart operator can be monitored both by the golf cart operator on display board 54 and display 78 in the clubhouse. Another refinement for the subject golf information system, of this first embodiment, comprehends changes in repositioning a cup 18 on the surface of a green 16 which has the effect of changing the distance from the reference points provided in the digital course map 86. As shown in FIG. 1, a starting location for a given hole can be designated with the landmark x,y coordinate found in the look-up tables 88. the end-of-play region 38 as well as, or alternatively by, the tee check regions 39 or 41. Preferably, both regions are positioned adjacent the tee area 12 and green 16, or hole 10, in the location where a golf cart 40 will pass as a player begins or ends play on a particular hole. For example, the size of the region surrounding a definitive location or region on the course is preprogrammed and determined based upon course and hole shape, size and ground surface area provided for a golf course to pass over. Furthermore, zones Z1-Z3 are actually regions defined by circles formed about COG, each having a different radius. Such information is

a golf cart's position is minimized,

G~

13
stored in EEPROM in the look-up tables 88 adjacent EEPROM stored information for digital course map 86. When the golf cart 40 is detected through DGPS 42 in response to motion sensor to be within such a region, knowledge about the location of the cart with respect to a hole is made available. For example, when a golf cart is detected in the tee check 39 or 41 via matching with a tee check look-up-table, it is known that the golf cart is beginning play on that particular hole. Likewise, as a golf cart enters the end-of-play region 38, it is known that the golf cart is completing play on that hole and about to begin play on the next, or subsequent hole. Preferably, the digital course map 86 can be updated from an operator within the clubhouse through transmitting unit 32 and data landmark signal 94 with reset signal 96. In the case where a cup is moved slightly, the digital course map can be updated to account for a change in relative position between the COG and the cup. Furthermore, in the case where positional information is displayed on display board 54 to a golfer which indicates distance to a green and hole, the respective distances and positions to landmarks on the course can be updated to display to a golfer, for example, the distances to each landmark, as well as the cup (or COG). It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. I claim: 1. A golf information system for providing a golfer with information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising: golfer locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal which locates the golfer on the golf course, and location interpreting and comparing means which moves with the golfer for interpreting said golfer location signal via a memory, said memory constructed and arranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks comprising topographical features of the golf course, and including means for designating a plurality of zones for one or more of each of the golf holes on the golf course, and relating specific subsets of said landmark coordinate data to each of said zones and comparing a difference in position of said golfer location signal to one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned to one of said zones on the golf course where the golfer is located, said location inteqaeting and comparing means relaying said difference in position as a distance between said landmarks associated with said zone and said golfer locating means to output means for outputting said information to the golfer, and said location interpreting and comparing means passively providing said information to said golfer without golfer input, each of the plurality of holes on the golf course divided into a plurality of said zones, each of said zones including at least one memory stored landmark location mapped to said zone and retrievable from memory in response to detection of one of said golfer location signals present within said zone, and means for detecting a stopped condition of the system, wherein the system automatically calculates said golfer location signal in response to said detected stopped condition, presence in one of said zones is determined via retrieval from memory, landmarks assigned to said

14
zone are recalled from memory along with landmark coordinate data, and distances are calculated between each of said retrieved landmarks and said golfer location signal. 2. The golf information system of claim 1 wherein said stopped condition is detected by a sensor on a golf cart or by global positioning satellite technology. 3. The golf information system of claim 1 wherein the system automatically outputs personal club selection suggestion based on golfers personal input into a memory file. 4. A method for determining the position of a golf ball relative to known locations on a golf course using a GPS system comprising the steps of: locating the positions of a plurality of landmarks on the golf course; defining a plurality of regions on the golf course, each of said regions mapped in relationship to a green having a cup on the golf course; mapping at least one of said landmarks to one of said regions; storing in memory the definitions of each of the regions in combination with region mapping information; storing the position of the green in memory; positioning a remote GPS receiver near the golf ball on the golf course; determinmg the position of the remote receiver using the GPS system; determining the region in which the golf ball is located on the course from such position wherein said mapping region information pertaining to a particular hole are automatically retrieved upon the remote receiver's presence in a certain region; recalling such landmarks present in such golf ball region; determining the distance fiom the remote receiver to such landmarks using previously stored landmark position information, such mapping region information, and the position of the GPS receiver; and displaying distances from the remote receiver to the cup and landmarks mapped with such region. 5. A method of claim 4 wherein said landmarks are mapped into memory from a digitized aerial photograph calibrated by geodetic survey techniques creating a digital data base. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein further landmark locations are taken from an x,y coordinate grid of said digital data base. 7. A golf information system for providing a golfer with information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising: golfer locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal which locates the golfer on the golf course; and location interpreiing and comparing means which moves with the golfer for interpreting said golfer locating signal via a memory, said memory constructed and arranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks comprising topographical features of the golf courseand including means for designating a plurality of zones on the golf course, and relating specific subsets of said landmark coordinate data to each of said zones and comparing a difference in position of said golfer location signal to one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned to one of said zones for one or more of each of the golf holes on the golf course where the

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5,685,786
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golfer is located, said location interpreting and comparing means relaying said difference in position as a distance between said landmarks associated with said zone and said golfer locating means to output means for outputting said information to the golfer; said locafion interpreting and comparing means passively providing said information to said golfer without golfer
input; wherein said output means is configured for outputting non-golf information to the golfer while said golfer locating means is in motion between stationary posi-

tions.

8. The golf information system of claim 7 wherein said

non-golf information comprises product or service advertisements or endorsements. 9. The golf information system of claim 7 wherein said non-golf information is associated with at least one of said zones and said non-golf information is outputted only when the golfer is located within said at least one associated zone 20 and said golf locating means is in motion between said stationary positions. 10. A golf information system for providing a golfer with information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising: golfer locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal which locates the golfer on the golf course,

said golfer locating means to output means for outputting said information to the golfer, and said location interpreting and comparing means passively providing said information to said golfer without golfer input, and receiver means for receiving golf related information from a transmitting station wherein said received information comprises golf related information and further comprises golf tournament standings information. 11.A golf information system for providing a golfer with information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising: golfer locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal which locates the golfer on the golf course,

location interpreting and comparing means which moves with the golfer for interpreting said golfer location signal via a memory, said memory constructed and arranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks comprising topographical features of the golf course, and including means for designating a plurality of zones for one or more of each of the golf holes on the golf course, and relating specific subsets of said landmark coordinate data to each of said zones and comparing a difference in position of said golfer location signal to one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned to one of said zones on the golf course where the golfer is located. said location interpreting and comparing location interpreting and comparing means which moves 30 means relaying said difference in position as a distance with the golfer for interpreting said golfer location between said landmarks associated with said zone and and signal via a memory, said memory constructed said golfer locating means to output means for outputarranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks comting said information to the golfer, and said location the golf course, and prising topographical features of interprefing and comparing means passively providing including means for designating a plurality of zones for said information to said golfer without golfer input, and the golf course, one or more of each of the golf holes on receiver means for receiving information from a transand relating specific subsets of said landmark coordimitting station wherein said received information comnate data to each of said zones and comparing a prises non-golf related information. difference in position of said golfer location signal to 12. A golf information system of claim 11 wherein said one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned 4o non-golf related information comprises product or service to one of said zones on the golf course where the golfer advertisements or endorsements. is located, said location interpreting and comparing means relaying said difference in position as a distance between said landmarks associated with said zone and

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII US005685786C I

EX PARTE REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (8011th) United States Patent US 5,685,786 C1 (10) Number:
(12)

Dudley
(54)

(45)

Certificate Issued:
References Cited

Feb. 8, 2011

PASSIVE GOLF INFORMATION SYSTEM

AND METHOD

(56)
4,837,700 5,044,634 5,319,548 5,438,518 5,524,081 6,062,991
A A A A A A

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

6/1989 9/1991 6/1994 8/1995 6/1996
5/2000
Ando Dudley Germain

(75) Inventor:

Douglas P. Dudley, West Bloomfield, MI

(US)

............

...701/213
273/32

(73) Assignee:

Tulip Group Investments, Dubai, Jae (AE)

Limited,

Bianco
Paul

................ ...364/460

...364/460

Moriarty et al.

Reexamination Request: No. 90/010,314, Oct. 13, 2008 Reexamination

Patent No.: Issued: Appl. No.:

Primary Examiner

Roland G. Foster

(57)

ABSTRACT

Certificate for: 5,6S5,7S6

Nov. 11, 1997 OS/449,S05

A golf information system and method which provides yardage and other information to a golfer relative to landmarks on a golf course operating in a "hands-free" or passive manner. In one embodiment, a differential global positioning satellite receiver (DGPS) is utilized to calculate a golf cart position and each time the cart stops, the detected position is compared with positions of landmarks mapped to zones on holes of the course. A location of each landmark is predetermined and stored in a look-up table, afterwhich the golf cart position is compared with the pre-stored positions to obtain a distance between the golf cart and each landmark. The calculated distance is subsequently outputted, preferably on a visual display where it is observed by a golfer. The system can also be used to send speed-of-play messages to a golfer from a clubhouse in order to speed up play, and can also be used to send emergency signals, and advertisements to the golfer. Information outputted to the golfer can be obtained from on-board memory, or in systems with communication features, the information can be sent from a golf course clubhouse or other remote location.

Filed:

May 24, 1995

Related U.S. Application Data

(63)

Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/240,983, filed on May 11, 1994, now abandoned.

(51) Int. Cl. /I 638 57/00

(52)

(2006.01)

U.S. Cl.

... 473/407;

340/323 R; 473/131; 473/409

(58) Field of ClassiTication Search

...None

See application file for complete search history.

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US 5,685,786 C1

I
EX PARTE
REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED UNDER 35 U.S.C. 307
THE PATENT IS HEREBY AMENDED AS INDICATED BELOW.
ing means relaying said difference in position as a distance between said landmarks associated with said zone and said golfer locating means to output means for outputting said information to the golfer; said location interpreting and comparing means passively providing said information to said golfer without golfer
input; wherein said output means [is configured for outputting] outputs information comprising non-golf information to the golfer while said golfer locating means is in motion between stationary positions. 11.A golf information system for providing a golfer with information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising: golf locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal which locates the golfer on the golf course, location interpeting and comparing means which moves with the golfer for interpreting said golfer location signal via a memory, said memory constructed and arranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks comprising topographical features of the golf course, and including means for designating a plurality of zones for one or more of each of the golf holes on the golf course, and relating specific subsets of said landmark coordinate data to each of said zones and comparing a difference in position of said golfer location signal to one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned to one of said zones on the golf course where the golfer is located, said location interpreting and comparing means relaying said difference in position as a distance between said landmarks associated with said zone and said golfer locating means to output means for outputtionss. ting said information to the golfer, and said location interpreting and comparing means passively providing said information to said golfer without golfer input, and receiver means for receiving information from a transmitting station wherein said received information comprises non-golf related information while said golfer locating means is in motion between stationary posi-

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appeared in the patent, but has been deleted and is no longer a part of the patent; matter printed in italics indicates additions made to the patent.
AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, DETERMINED THAT:
Claims 1-6 and 10 are cancelled. Claims amended.

10

IT HAS BEEN

7 and 11 are determined

to be patentable

as

Claims S, 9 and 12, dependent determined to be patentable.

on an amended claim, are

7. A golf information system for providing a golfer with 25 information regarding the position and distance of designated features on a golf course having a plurality of golf holes comprising:
golfer locating means which moves with the golfer for receiving signals and generating a golfer location signal 30 which locates the golfer on the golf course; and location interpreting and comparing means which moves with the golfer for interpreting said golfer locating signal via a memory, said memory constructed and arranged for storing coordinate data of landmarks com- 35 prising topographical features of the golf course, and including means for designating a plurality of zones on the golf course, and relating specific subsets of said landmark coordinate data to each of said zones and comparing a difference in position of said golfer loca- 40 tion signal to one or more of said landmark coordinate data assigned to one of said zones for one or more of each of the golf holes on the golf course where the golfer is located, said location interpreting and compar-